Share this Page

Paper Talk: Barca want Chelsea man; United eye Willian

Victor Moses has emerged as a shock transfer target for Barcelona, while his fellow Chelsea star Willian is on the radar of Manchester United, all in the papers.

MOURINHO SET FOR CHELSEA RAID?

Jose Mourinho is set to launch a bid for Chelsea star Willian in January, according to reports on Friday.

Both the Daily Star and Daily Express claim ‘exclusives’ with the former claiming Willian is rated in the £40million bracket while the Express suggest Mourinho is plotting a more plausible £25million bid.

Mourinho though, were told, rates the 28-year-old highly and the Brazilian was a big part of Chelsea’s title-winning side in 2014/15. However, since Antonio Conte switched to a 3-4-3 Willian has struggled to get any game time and has dropped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Willian only signed a new four-year deal at Stamford Bridge in July, but he has not started in the Premier League since the 2-0 win at Hull on October 1 and he wasn’t even in the squad against Middlesbrough last week.

The player was linked with United in the summer, while PSG were also believed to be tracking the former Corinthians wideman.

Southampton pair Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk, Benfica’s Victor Lindelof and Bayer Leverkusen’s Aleksandar Dragovic are all on the radar.Mourinho is believed to be ready “to test the waters with Chelsea” for the Blues’ Player of the Year last season, but the Express then claims Mourinho willprioritise defensive deals.

So, from that we can probably conclude that the Willian link is rubbish.

Michael Essien is back training at Chelsea after insisting he is yet to retire from football. (Daily Mail)

Mark Hughes is facing the prospect of losing Wilfried Bony in January after it emerged he has a release clause which allows him to be sold to clubs in China. (Telegraph)

Man City will hold a board meeting in Abu Dhabi at the weekend, with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the chairman, ready to sanction the acquisition of a central defender should Pep Guardiola wish to make a move in January. (Guardian)

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has not ruled out re-signing midfielder Joey Barton. The 34-year-old is training with the Premier League club after his contract with Rangers was terminated. (Daily Mail)

Derby County midfielder Will Hughes, 21, is set to leave, after rejecting the offer of a new contract. (Daily Mirror)

Brighton and Hove Albion will not sell midfielder Dale Stephens, 26, in January despite interest from Celtic. (The Argus)